WEST KELOWNA, BC — Westside/Kelowna MLA, Ben Stewart, has announced he’s stepping down to make way for Premier Christy Clark who will run in a by-election after losing her seat.
The announcement was made today at Stewart’s business – Quails Gate Winery in West Kelowna.
Despite the Liberals soundly defeating the NDP in the BC election, Clark lost her seat in Vancouver-Point to NDP candidate David Eby.
“I am humbled by Ben Stewart’s unselfish act of character and generosity, and I will be asking the voters of Westside-Kelowna for their support in the pending byelection,” says Clark.
“It is a great honour that our riding has the opportunity to be represented by Premier Christy Clark and it continues a past tradition of British Columbia premiers in the Okanagan,” says Stewart. “She has a strong mandate and I am doing my part to ensure she is in a position to deliver on her vision for a strong economy and secure tomorrow.”
Clark says she will have to earn the support of local voters.
“I will do it with dedication and enthusiasm, backed by a strong group of seatmates that includes Norm Letnick, Steve Thomson, Eric Foster and Dan Ashton,” says Premier Clark.
Clarks says the by-election will be called next week and that it will likely be held in mid-July.
She says she will be taking up a second residence in West Kelowna.
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